The injury curse that has hit Castlebar in the past reared its ugly head once again on Sunday when Loughrea beat the firsts by 20 points to ten. From there it is on to next Sunday and the trip to Creggs in the Cawley cup. This is a game that we can win and find ourselves in a cup semi final. The game kicks off at 2.30 in the Green.

The seconds produced some excellent rugby to defeat Ballinrobe on Sunday last by two points. This was a win badly needed and augurs well for the rest of the season and the Ard Na Cregg cup. Well done lads!

Under 18 training continues at 7pm Tuesday and Friday nights.

Castlebar travelled to Gort this week and completed their unbeaten league campaign in impressive style scoring a massive 50 unanswered points. Castlebar dominated the opening of this encounter, which set the tone for the day. Within 3 minutes Castlebar took the lead with the ever impressive Shane Casey touching down for the first of his two tries. Within minutes of the restart Castlebar had again touched down in the corner with Stephen Keane finishing off a mesmerising gallop by the marauding second row Alan Regan. The Castlebar pack controlled the early part of the game with Daniel Kelly winning possession on Gort’s put in to the scrum on a number of occasions as well as taking ball on from rucks and mauls. Before the 10 minute mark Shane Casey had scored the second of his two tries. Neil Douglas slotted the conversion to put Castlebar 17 – 0 in front. As Gort started to fight their way back into the game they were frustrated time and again by the relentless pressure applied by the Castlebar side. This pressure resulted in a John McGuinness charge down setting Kevin Curry up for a very well taken try. At this stage the Backs began to run very positive lines of attack with Donal Newcombe, Neil Douglas, Patrick Wiseman, Kevin Curry, Stephen Rogan and Conor Douglas penetrating the Gort defence every time. Patrick Wiseman’s superb interception and resulting break was to set up Castlebar’s fifth try With Connor Walsh crashing over the line in his trademark style for the first of his two tries.

Castlebar started the second half 33 to nil and never dropped their game. Stephen Rogan provided the tackle of the day on the Gort wing forward who was the most threatening of the Gort attackers. Scrums and lineouts were flawless with John McGuinness and Alan Regan ensuring quality ball in the line out every time. David Walsh and Colm Corbett gave an outstanding performance and worked tirelessly to retain possession and to disrupt every Gort attack. In a game where any player on the pitch could have taken man of the match Cian O’Sullivan shone. His work rate and tackle count were enormous and his support play contributed to a number of tries. Castlebar scored a further 3 tries in the second half with Donal Newcombe, Stephen Keane and Conor Walsh scoring a try each. Neil Douglas was on form with the boot converting 5 of 7 attempts at the posts before retiring with a knee injury. Replacements Ross Flynn, Conor Summerville, Kevin Glynn and Brian Kiernan all added very worthy contributions when called upon on a day that all the hours of training and matches of the season paid off with this side’s most polished performance to date. Castlebar now enter the playoff stages of the league with a home semi final. Details of this game will follow and we would ask all parents and rugby fans to come out and support. Training continues on Tuesday at 7.

Training continues for all mini rugby teams on Saturday next at 11am out at the pitch.

The next draw will take place on Friday the 27^th January with a venue to be announced. David O'Malley’s team are on duty on the night. A special request also to all players to return tickets as soon as possible.